Ananya Bishnoi demonstrates how GPT-5’s freeform tool calling in Azure AI Foundry enables developers to chain Python and SQL tools for seamless automation and dynamic workflows.

Unlocking GPT-5’s Freeform Tool Calling in Azure AI Foundry

Author: Ananya Bishnoi

Introduction

GPT-5 models are now live in Azure AI Foundry through Azure OpenAI, bringing advanced reasoning and generative capabilities. One standout feature is freeform tool calling: the model can now send raw code—like Python scripts or SQL queries—directly to your dev tools, making integrations smoother than ever.

What is Freeform Tool Calling in GPT-5?

Traditional tool calling with AI often requires strict JSON formatting for every payload. Freeform tool calling in GPT-5 changes the game by letting the model generate and send code or configuration files in whatever format your tool expects—including unstructured text. This streamlines development, allowing:

  • Flexible interaction with a wide range of tools
  • More expressive and intuitive workflows
  • Support for complex, multi-step task automation

Demo: Chaining SQL and Python Tools

Liam Cavanagh’s demo shows real-world usage by chaining together a SQL execution tool and a Python code runner:

Step 1: Setup

  • Load environment variables from a .env file
  • Initialize Azure OpenAI client (supports API key and Entra ID authentication)

Step 2: Define Custom Tools

  • sql_exec_sqlite: Executes SQL, returns final SELECT as CSV
  • code_exec_python: Executes raw Python, returns stdout

Step 3: Prompt GPT-5

The model is prompted to:

  • Generate SQL to create a sales table and compute revenue
  • Call sql_exec_sqlite to execute it
  • Call code_exec_python to format the result

Step 4: Run the Conversation Loop

  • Send prompt to GPT-5
  • Detect and execute tool calls (locally)
  • Feed output back to GPT-5 as function_call_output
  • Print the assistant’s final response

This design lets GPT-5 maintain full context and chain multiple tool calls as part of a single workflow.

Key Takeaways

  • No JSON Required: Send raw code/text to tools
  • Improved Usability: Output is natural and easier for devs to use
  • Multi-Tool Orchestration: Seamless chaining of different processing steps
  • Developer-Centric: Enhances automation, scripting, and dynamic code execution

Learn More

  • [What is Azure OpenAI in Azure AI Foundry Models? Microsoft Learn](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/ai-foundry/openai/overview)
  • [GPT-5 in Azure AI Foundry: The future of AI apps and agents starts here Microsoft Azure Blog](https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/gpt-5-in-azure-ai-foundry-the-future-of-ai-apps-and-agents-starts-here/?msockid=0030611da9e260e628f5742ca8586188)

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